Changes At Fair Bring Out Crowds Sunshine, Mascot Help Push Thousands Pass Turnstiles

Was it that wacky dancing chicken? Or the 90-foot-tall Giant Wheel ride at the carnival? Or maybe folks just had a funnel-cake deficiency in their diet this year.

Attendance at the Spokane Interstate Fair was up like a missile-launched corn dog over last year’s sorry numbers. By Saturday night, 255,756 people had walked through the gates - up 5.9 percent over the 241,463 people who sauntered in during the same period last year.

“I need 30,000 for today,” said Dolly Hughes, fair business and operations manager. “I was hoping for a total of 285,000. That’s what I predicted.”

The last time the fair had more than 285,000 visitors was in 1995.

In an attempt to boost attendance, exhibitors were shuffled to new stalls. A new carnival - with tie-wearing carnies - took hold of the thrill business. The fair advertised earlier and pressed a line-dancing chicken into service as a mascot.

“Good old Legs, he just drew them right down here,” Hughes said with a big laugh, referring to mascot Legs Benedict.

“He’ll be back next year, but he’ll probably have a buddy next year - a barnyard buddy. It is kind of a lonesome load by yourself,” Hughes said, then caught herself. “I’m giving away secrets here.”

Finally, the weather cooperated like a prize-winning hog in a petting zoo, bringing mostly pleasant skies and temperatures for the 10-day run.

A straw poll of vendors indicated they were generally pleased with the new fair.

“I think it worked well,” said Ron Johnson, manager of Homestead Birkenstock, which like many businesses got moved to a new slot in the exhibition building. “Year after year we were in the same space, so it was nice for us to move - we’ve got new faces all around.”

A couple aisles away, Al Berger stood in his Cunningham Studio booth and gave his approval.

There was more room between the carnival and the exhibition building. That was good. The admission gate was in a new place. That was good, too.

“I think Dolly’s made some good changes as long as the commission stays out of her face and lets her work,” said Berger, who’s been working the fair for 10 years.

His one complaint: Restroom sinks should be more user friendly for the vertically challenged.

“My 3-year-old can’t reach the sink to wash his hands,” Berger said.

Even for those who didn’t find the fair that much of an improvement, there was still plenty to keep them coming back.

“I didn’t think it was as much fun as last year,” said 17-year-old Christina Zorn, who was in her third day of visiting the fair.

There just wasn’t as much stuff this year, Zorn said.

Her friend, 16-year-old Glenda Gudiel, was more specific.

“There weren’t as many booths as last year and I like booths because you get free stuff. Last year, I got a Spam piggy bank. I still have it. I only keep dimes in it. Don’t ask me why,” Gudiel said without taking a breath.

Gudiel and Zorn were on their way to ride the Ring of Fire at the carnival. David Blackorby, 19, was going with them, but planned only to watch. He sagely observed that fair food and the rides don’t always mix.

But Gudiel was undeterred. After all, she knew the Ring of Fire was stomach safe.

“Now the Hammer - that’s a real puke machine.”